The Morning Line

Stories about White House aide DAVID GERGEN's amazing competence and closeness to the President appeared within a few days of one another last week in the Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Newsweek and TIME. We asked some observers how long Gergen's press honeymoon will last.

FRED BARNES

New Republic

At least until 1994

"Gergen is the first among equals ... If Clinton ... starts to fall again, Gergen won't look so good."

DOUG IRELAND

+ Village Voice

As long as the heat wave

"The first time he gets caught in the inevitable Big Lie, the honeymoon will sour."

SENATOR ROBERT DOLE

Minority leader

As long as the press wants

The media favor Clinton, "so they're glad they've got a spin doctor ... to make things look rosy."